THE POULTRY YARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7687, 23 April 1903, Page 3

THE POULTRY YARD.

FANCIERS' NOTES.

(By OVO.)

Mr IT. G. Berryman, Ashburton, has imported from the yards of Mr S. W. Thomas, Swansea, two Houdan cockerels and a, hen and pullet of the same breed. Mr D. M'lntyre, of Spnngburr., has imported a, trio of Gtclden-pencilled Hamburgs, a cockerel and two pullets • also two black Hamburg hens. Ail the birds came by the Karamea.

■ The twelve - month-s' laying coy- [ petition at Hawktsbury Agricultural r College, New ' South Wales, on March 31. Thirly-eight pens, each of six hens or pullets, competed. The winning pen was -of White Leghorn pullets, which laid 1113 eggs, averaging 260z per dozen, and of a money value of 140s 3d. Next was a pen of White Leghorn hens, put in at thirteen months o\i L which laid 1041 eggs, averaging 250z, and value 126s 2d. Then came Black Orpington pullets (seven and a half months-), and next two liens of Silver Wyandottes (eleven months and ten months respectively). A p-en of Minorca^ was at the bottom of the list.

It has often been remarked that the Christchurch Club endeavours/ to run the South Island Poultry Association. After the Easter general meeting, it must be admitted that the business is left for the Christchurch Club to conduct. I know of one society having four of its members in Christchurch on the evening of the meeting, but not one put in an appearance. It appears to me that the laxity of some societies is simply marvellous, and it is a great wonder that they exist. At some shows, where trophies " open to members only " are allotted, I think it would be advisable for officials and judges to pay a little more attention. At the lastAshbuvton show a trophy was given for the best Minorca cockerel, with the above conditions. Mr Hendry, a new member, was awarded the prize for the best cockerel, and the Ashburton Society held the trophy over, on the ground that the exhibitor of the best bird was not a member. Mr D. Hampton, a member, and winner of the second prize, protested, and appealed to the Association against the Society's decision, and the Association very rightly upheld Mr Hampton's appeal. It is impossible to understand the Asliburton Society's action. These trophies are offered for the purpose of enticing fanciers to join; the competition is open to those who have paid their subscriptions, and it makes no difference whether the bird is a first or' a highly commended, thek exhibitor who is a member, j with the highest ticket, must -win the' trophy.

Early one morning in January an electric tramcar in Paris set fife- to the subterranean cable for some distance along tb,e line. Another tram arrived and passed through, with the intention of pushing on the first tram, but this increased the fire to' such an extent that both trams would have been destroyed bub for the timely aid of a body of men.

In Italy, each regiment has its own pictorial poEt-cards, on which are the devices of the regiment, the list of battle* in whicfi it has taken part, or one of the heroic episodes in which it has figured. Thes"e are sold at moderate prices to officers and soldiers, and their use in correspondence serves to spread the prestige of the regiment.